Local Progress on Health Targets

Media Release

December 6, 2007

Local Progress on Health Targets

The first update on ten new national Health Targets was published this week by the Ministry of Health.

Locally, the health sector is working towards the targets, which are indicative of a wider range of services and efforts in priority areas. The aim of Health Targets is to improve health outcomes over time by focusing on these areas. The report shows that early progress has been made against many of the key health targets in Taranaki.

The ten health key targets 2007/08 are
- Improving immunisation coverage
- Improving oral health
- Improving elective services
- Reducing cancer waiting times
- Reducing ambulatory sensitive (avoidable) hospital admissions
- Improving diabetes services.
- Improving mental health services
- Increasing nutrition and physical activity, reducing obesity
- Reducing the harm caused by tobacco
- Reducing the percentage of the health budget spent on the Ministry of Health

Tony Foulkes, Taranaki District Health Board Chief Executive, says a focus on these key areas is important to continue to improve health, reduce inequalities and improve the quality of health services for local people. “The targets provide a useful indication of how we are doing, as we strive for Taranaki together, a healthy community.”

“We will use this first and future reports as an opportunity to look at each of the targets to understand trends, and how further improvements can be made. It is of particular note that Taranaki has achieved an ‘outstanding’ performance in the area of elective services. This is a credit to all the clinical and non-clinical staff working in the area. It is hoped that good progress will also be demonstrated over the years in the other longer term measures.”

Notes for Editors

1. A summary of Taranaki Q1 2007/08 Performance on Health Targets available on the TDHB website at www.tdhb.org.nz
2. For more information on national health targets go to www.moh.govt.nz/healthtargets or www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/healthtargets-targets-q1reportsupportinginfo

ENDS

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